Fusion 360 For Woodworkers Course on Udemy - ON SALE!

[Mario Turcot]

Wait I might have to look for more then one source... hold on!

 

[PaulH99]

Yes, it's still free if you say it's for hobby use, only.
https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/fusion-360-for-hobbyists

 

[Mario Turcot]

I downloaded the software and installed it. From a video I watched, I should have on the top right the remaining days from the trial and from there I should be able to register as a hobyist. Such remaining days do not appear. I close and re-start it but nothing.

I'm a bit confused here. I don't want to learn/use a software that I will have to pay a 50$/month minimum I rather go with VCarve Pro and pay one time.

 

[rmhinden]

I was able to download the application, then go through the dialog under subscribe and get a year license (for free).  I followed the instructions at:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/supp...-or-educational-licensing-for-Fusion-360.html . 

Then ordered the Udemy course. 

Thanks for all of the information.  Should be interesting.  I have been using Sketchup, will see which I like better.

 

[Dick Mahany]

I was able to download the application, then go through the dialog under subscribe and get a year license (for free). 
.........  Should be interesting.  I have been using Sketchup, will see which I like better.

The thing I really enjoy about Fusion 360 is the parametric modelling as outlined in that course.  By using it, one can automatically have designs adjusted precisely for actual material thicknesses.  For instance designing with nominal sheet good thicknesses is quickly recalculated once the actual as-purchased sheet thicknesses are entered as parameters. 

I also really like the ability to model animated joints such as moving parts. 

I'm finding it reasonably straight forward to use, but it does (for me) have a steeper learning curve than Sketchup which I have used for quite a few years.

 

[sprior]

I've been using Fusion 360 on their free enthusiast license for around 4 years now, started using it to design for 3D printing, then 2 years ago I got an X-carve CNC, then later got a laser engraver and Fusion now supports that too.  I now design my woodworking projects in it as well even though I then enter the piece dimensions in Maxcut to generate a plywood cutting plan.

I like the fact that I can design something in Fusion with components that can be cut by hand, 3D printed, and carved on the CNC.  Also a great tool is that I can insert parts directly from the McMaster Carr catalog into my design.

Here's a rendering of the current project I'm building which I designed in Fusion.  The casters and adjustable feet you see and some threaded inserts and knobs you don't are inserted from McMaster.  The drawer knobs I designed might be 3D printed (or I might just use wooden ones).  Most of the rest I cut by hand with the TS55.  I ended up cutting the drawer boxes by hand, but could also have cut them on the CNC right from this design.

The parametric design part mentioned above is fantastic.  When I was working on the miter saw station design I wasn't sure about some dimensions and thicknesses.  The thicknesses I made into design parameters so when I went from 3/4" ply to baltic birch (18mm) I just updated that parameter and various lengths got adjusted automatically.  When fairly late in the game I decided to change the overall length of the table which stretched the left side platform, all I had to to was go into the history and change the 2D sketch of the table and the support cabinets got relocated, the top left platform (including the drawer boxes) got stretched accordingly.  I will say that getting the design right such that changes like that work smoothly takes LOTS of practice.  Every project I do in Fusion challenges me - it has so many capabilities the learning curve never stops.

I just got a 3DConnexion wireless 3D mouse this week to start using with Fusion, people who have them love them for CAD.

 

[Mario Turcot]

[member=66813]rmhinden[/member] Thanks for the link. I missed that one step about eligibility.

I was able to download the application, then go through the dialog under subscribe and get a year license (for free).  I followed the instructions at:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/supp...-or-educational-licensing-for-Fusion-360.html . 

Then ordered the Udemy course. 

Thanks for all of the information.  Should be interesting.  I have been using Sketchup, will see which I like better.

 

[Cheese]

Here's a rendering of the current project I'm building which I designed in Fusion. 

Nice miter saw station.  [thumbs up]  What saw was it built for?

What do you plan to store in the 2 open cabinets?

 

[sprior]

It's for the Kapex and the side cabinets hold Systainers.  Here's what it actually looks like at the moment, the next step is to build the two drawer boxes which hopefully I'll get to tomorrow.
View attachment 1

I've started a whole thread about designing it here.

 

[rmhinden]

I started watching the course, then tried to do the same things using Fusion 360.  Crashed every time I tried to add a rectangle.  Did some web searching, turns out that my old iMac (2007) only has 256MB of VRAM.  Apparently Fusion 360 requires at least 512MB of VRAM.  Would have been nice if the software checked this when installing.

Have to find a different computer.....

 

[Dick Mahany]

I started watching the course, then tried to do the same things using Fusion 360.  Crashed every time I tried to add a rectangle.  Did some web searching, turns out that my old iMac (2007) only has 256MB of VRAM.  Apparently Fusion 360 requires at least 512MB of VRAM.  Would have been nice if the software checked this when installing.

Have to find a different computer.....

Even on a relatively new (2yrs old) MS Surface Pro, I get a message that my graphics card may be sub optimal.  Fusion 360 is definitely more resource intensive than Sketchup, but for good reason.....power.